Sharp Knives, Skinny Jeans: A Pocket-Sized Guide To Knives

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We've long admired the EDC or "Everyday Carry" movement — the cataloguing, photographing, and showcasing the collection of items a man brings with him everywhere. Keys, phone, timepiece, and, when appropriate, a wedding band are the obvious essentials. (And if you live in Oklahoma, add — sigh — visible handgun to that list). The most insane example we've seen comes from Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, a.k.a. Tarzan, the mayor of Mogadishu. For those who don't need to tote around an iPad, two phones, and several bodyguards, we'd still like to add one more item to the standard litany: the pocket knife.

Every man should have a pocket knife. Not a tactical paramilitary tool that communicates "I belong to a militia and have a bunker full of dehydrated soup." Nor a fat Swiss bundle of tools you'll never use — although if you're the sort of guy who needs a marlinspike and a reamer on your person at all times, ream on, brother. Keep it simple. The finest chefs in the world need only one knife to perform nearly every kitchen task. And you need one blade to open boxes, cut fruit, whittle a stick, or perform a routine field tracheotomy (you'll also need a drinking straw). We like our blades handmade, with a comfortable handle, and an elegant finish, from a prestigious, time-tested brand. We're geography, price, and material agnostic, but only the finest specimens made our cut. -Micah Fitzerman-Blue